Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa,place of golden beauty

The landscape of the Golden Gate Highlands
National Park in South Africa is characterized by massive, colourful sandstone formations, wooded
ravines, indigenous grasslands under wonderful sunshine sky.

Dark caves and deep shelters displaying ancient rock paintings, all add to its mystery and
splendour.

The Park derives its name from the spectacular shades of gold cast by the sun on its gigantic
sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Sentinel rock formation, which keeps vigil over the main
rest camp.

Below the cliffs the mountain slopes are covered in green vegetation and wild flowers.

The many ancient rock paintings in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, leave no doubt that
the "Khoi" and the "san" people were the first inhabitants in the area.

They moved away when the Basotho people and later the European settlers arrived on the scene,
amongst them the "Van Reenen" family. They had bought the farm "Vuurland" in the valley.

Impressed by two gigantic sandstone rocks gold-colouredby the late evening sun and standing 76
meters high forming a kind of a gateway, they called their new land "Golden Gate". In 1962 the
“Golden Gate Highlands” region was proclaimed a National Park.

You will find the Golden Gate Highlands National Park situated in the rolling foothills of the Maluti
mountains in the north-eastern Free State near the Lesotho border. It occupies a conveniently central
position on the major tourist routes, 320km from Johannesburg, 390km from Durban and 305km from
Bloemfontein.

The Park lies on the breathtaking scenic route from Ficksburg via Fouriesburg and Clarens to the Qua Qua
National Park, with the picturesque town of Clarens only 20km away form the Park.The Caledon River forms
the southern boundary between the Park and Lesotho. The nearest major towns are Betlehem and Harrismith,
approximately 40km away.

Flowers in the Golden Gate Highlands National ParkPhotograph by Marc Ashwell

The vegetation in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park consists mainly of indigenous grassland, with
more then 50 grass species, each one having its own flowering time. Wild flowers put on a delightful
springtime show in the Park when Watsonias, Arum Lilies, Red-hot Pokers and an array of bulbs and herbs
burst into bloom.

There are beautiful indigenous trees in the secluded ravines, while Poplars and Willow trees line
the banks of the Little Caledon river. Characteristic for the Park are the "Oldwood" (Ouhout)
trees with their "old" appearance of twisted trunks and their flaking bark and silky-haired
leaves. They are usually found above the 1000 meters elevation mark.

Burchell’s Zebra, a subspecies of the common or plains ZebraPhotograph by Arno Meintjes

This beautiful 12,000 hectares of highland habitat is home to a number of wild animals ranging from the
tiny Oribi to the Giant Eland and in between the Grey Rhebok, Common Duiker, Blesbok, Springbok, Steenbok,
Mountain Reedbuck, Red Hartebeest, Black Wildebeest (Gnu) and Burchell’s Zebra.

Many nocturnal creatures such as Aardwolves, Porcupines and African wild cats also make their home here.
More commonly seen are the Marsh and Cape Grey Mongooses, Spotted Genets, Striped Polecats, Black-backed
Jackals, and, surprisingly, Cape Clawless Otters.

140 bird species have been identified in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The Park is the perfect
place for observing a variety of raptors ranging from Black Eagles to Jackal Buzzards. Birds which are
scarcely seen anymore, such as the Bearded Vulture, Cape Vulture and Bald Ibis can be found nesting on
the rocky ledges of the steep sandstone cliffs.

Closer to the ground, keep and eye out for Blue Cranes, South Africa’s national bird, which is also rare
and for common Guinea Fowls. When hiking across the grass-covered hillsides you may well spot the
long-legged Secretary bird. A visit to hide at the Vulture restaurant where bird lovers can view the rare
Bearded Vulture and others from nearby, is a "most do".

Skeleton of the massospondylus at the Natural History Museum in London

Dinosaurs did occur in the area and the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is world renowned for one of
the first finds of fossilised Dinosaur eggs in 1978. These eggs were said to be from the "Triassic Period",
about 220 to 195 million years ago, containing fossilised foetal skeletons of the Massospondylus, a
Prosauropod Dinosaur.

More examples of these eggs have since been found in the park. Other fossils found in the park include
those of advanced Cynodontia (canine toothed animals), small Thecodontia (animals with teeth set firmly in
the jaw), bird-like and crocodile-like Dinosaurs.

The Golden Gate Highlands National Park offers a large variety of accommodation, ranging from luxury Hotel
suites and self-catering Cottages to scenic and comfortable camping and caravan sites. Hotel
accommodation, as well as cottages, are available at the luxury Brandwag Hotel and rest camp.

Fully equipped self-catering bungalows and cottages which can accommodate a maximum of four people, can be
found at the Glen Reenen rest camp, while youth groups will feel at home in the four dormitories that can
sleep up to 92 people at the Wilgenhof Environmental Education Centre.

There is also a beautiful refurbished farmhouse called Noord Brabant Guest House near the western entrance
to the park. The QwaQwa rest camp near the Basotho Cultural Village should be opening soon, with
traditional rondavels in a very rural setting (but still with all modern comforts) with great views over
the plains.

The Highlands Mountain Retreat rest camp is really something special. Right up at 2260m, the chalets open
out onto the most amazing views right across to Harrismith, 60kms away. It is so high that when weather
conditions are right, you can look out over a sea of clouds below. The snow up there in winter is something
to see as well.

Rondavels, Longdavels and Guest Cottages with either one double and two single beds or two single and one
stack bed, bathroom (shower) and kitchen with basic equipment. There is also a great campsite at Glen
Reenen with shady sites, next to the Little Caledon river in amongst the mountains.

The Golden Gate Brandwag Hotel is a unique retreat situated in the heart of the Golden Gate Highlands
National Park in the scenic north-eastern Free State. The Hotel offers luxury and comfortable accommodation
with unequalled views in the self catering chalets and in the hotel rooms.

The recently released Highlands Mountain Retreat, is a luxury camp in the Golden Gate Highlands National
Park that has certainly been worth the wait. The eight luxury log cabins nestling in the foothills of
Golden Gate, can accommodate 4 families of 4 each (2 bedrooms each en-suite) and 4 that can accommodate 2
persons each (1 bedroom), making this camp, a definite "must visit".

Family Log Cottage (FT4...)Check-in at Glen Reenen Reception, Fireplace, Kitchen, One bedroom
with 2 single beds, One bedroom with double bed, Television, Two bathrooms (en-suite, with wc and shower),
Verandah with Weber braai.

Wilgenhof Environmental Education Centre has been offering professional and dynamic educational programmes
for over 20 years. The well-maintained facilities include a large hall with kitchen and accommodation for
92 people. The Centre is located in a beautiful setting overlooking the Golden Gate Park and the mighty
peaks of Ribbokkop and Snow Hills. There is even a rock art site just a few minutes walk away.

The rest camps have wonderful facilities to make you feel welcome and ensure that you enjoy your visit.
Excellent restaurants and coffee shops will cater for your needs at all times. There are shops that sell
basic necessities and also scenic picnic sites where the guests can enjoy their meals whilst enjoying the
beautiful scenery around them at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

The camping and caravan sites are equipped with excellent ablution and barbecue facilities. The facilities
at Glen Reenen include a shop, a filling station, natural swimming pool and a picnic area for day visitors,
next to the range of self-catering facilities available inside the bungalows and the cottages.

Facilities at the Brandwag Hotel and rest camp include a restaurant and bar, coffee shop and curio shop. A
picnic spot is available for day visitors, while conference and banqueting facilities cater for up to 150
guests. The Hotel has a variety of guest services available, including babysitting, safety deposit boxes,
laundry service and open and undercover parking.

Conference facilities are available at three separate conference venues, complete with central heating and
panoramic views of the impressive sandstone cliffs. Between 15 and 120 delegates can be seated.

Great Bird and Game viewing to be enjoyed from the comfort of your vehicle. You will spot many species of
animals like the Burchell's Zebra and Red hartebeest amongst others. The courses offered by the Wilgenhof
Environmental Education Centre will help you to learn more about the wildlife and surroundings in the Park.

Some 140 bird species have been identified in the park, including the rare Bearded Vulture, Bald Ibis and
Black Eagle. A hide at the vulture restaurant enables bird lovers to observe these scavengers closely
without being detected.

Burchell’s Zebra, a sub species of the common or plains Zebra - Golden Gate Highlands National ParkPhotograph by Arno Meintjes

Fantastic scenery with amazing views. The "Zuluhoek" lookout point, "Generaalskop" viewpoint, the third
highest point in the Park and the "Oribi basin" are some of the top spots offering you exceptional views of
the scenery with great photographic opportunities, allowing you to take home your memories and share them
with friends and family.

For those who enjoy history and culture, visiting the impressive and ancient "San" rock art sites will be a
highly educating and memorable experience. Some of these paintings are so lifelike that you can almost
feel the presence of the ancient painter.

The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a hikers paradise. A visit to the park should always include at
least one leisurely walk along one of its winding nature trails, some of which start at the Glen Reenen
camping site. There are many hikes available, ranging from easy to difficult.

Most of the day hikes are no too challenging, offering some stunning views. The Brandwag Buttress, Echo
Ravine and Mushroom Rock hiking trails for instance, offer a great display of the Park’s scenery and
geology. They all start from the Glen Reenen rest camp.

point of the Rhebok Hiking TrailPhotograph by Mike Gerhardt

For the fit and not so fainthearted visitors, there is the two days and one night 31km Rhebok hiking trail.
According to many visitors this trail gives you the best views in the park, such as the place called
Lesotho View at the highest point of the trail and the vista across the Caledon river into Lesotho, which
is just amazing.

The Maluti mountains rise right up to the clouds (and beyond!) and a picnic up there is accompanied by
Jackal Buzzards, Rhebok sightings and the faint jingling noise of the cow-bells from just over the border,
absolutely magic.

Located in the eastern highveld region of South Africa in the north-east of the Free State province, the
Golden Gate Highlands National Park experiences a dry and sunny climate during the winter period June to
August. Average daily winter temperatures vary from a maximum of 16°C during the day to a minimum of
-2°C at night, sometimes dropping as low as -9°C to -15°C, with frequent snow falls.

The summers are mild, often with thunderstorms in the afternoon. Average daily summer temperatures during
the period October to April vary from 27°C during the day to 13°C at night. The Park primarily falls in
the summer rainfall area (September to April) and the annual rainfall is approximately 760mm per year. In
very wet years this figure can rise to 1250mm.

The Searchable and interactive weather indicator below delivers weather condition, temperature, pressure,
and wind information of the town of Betlehem, nearest weather station to the Golden Gate Highlands National
Park, about 40km away.

It tells the time, changes colours depending on weather severity (the blue bar turns red to indicate
importance), and allows you to instantly click over to detailed forecast information, radar images, and
travel information.

Should the weather conditions being reported in this indicator show severe weather or weather warnings,
the blue bar the top becomes red to draw attention. To top it all off, there's a search box that will let
you jump to any location of your choosing.

Click on the name of one of the three rest camps in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park below, to view
the Accommodation availability page of the South African National Parks organization’s (SANparks) website.
It will show you the accommodation available for that particular rest camp on any given date.

The domestic airports nearest to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park are situated at Johannesburg
(320km), Bloemfontein (305km) and Durban (390km). From there you would have to travel by road, unless you
charter a light aircraft to take you to a nearby landing strip.

BY ROAD:

Travelling by road it is a 4 hour drive from Johannesburg, 4 hours from Bloemfontein and 5 hours from
Durban. The roads are all tarred and in excellent condition.